THE WORD: Despite a respectable 7-3 record, Wakeland
missed out on the playoffs in 2012 after appearances the
previous two seasons. QB Lamb ( 6-4, 215) returns to lead
an offense that averaged 36 points per game and registered
more than 30 points five times in 2012. Lamb, who threw for
2,540 yards and 22 TDs, will likely look to Carver (29-413,
3 TDs) and Charlton ( 8-81) as his top targets. Carver and
Marr combined for more than 1,000 yards and 17 TDs on the
ground last season and that group will give the Wolverines
plenty of balance, Carver is a four year varsity letterman for
the Wolverines. Altieri (61-340, 3 TDs) should also contribute to the rushing attach. However, the Wolverine offense’s
continued success will be determined by the ability of the
offensive line to gel. The defense is even less experienced
and Secord, a veteran of more than 20 years, may have to
work some magic on that side of the ball as inexperience
abounds. Overall, 9-4A looks to be down so the Wolverines
youngsters on defense may be able to adjust a bit easier.

FRISCO RACCOONS

ENROLLMENT: 1,697 ( 4)

2012 RECORD: 9-4 4A Div. I Regional Semi-Finalist
THE COACH: Vance Gibson
THE PLAYERS: Matt Nollman (Sr., RB), Jake Battaglia (Sr.,
QB), Max Steitle (Sr., RB), Grant Frerichs (Sr., WR/DB), Austin
Shaw (Jr., WB/DB), Grant White (Sr., K), Skyler Sowerwine
(Sr. WR/DB), Deon Kingston (Sr., DL), Don Ton (Sr. OL/DL),
Dayton Bush (Jr., WR/DB), Chris Robinson (Jr., TE/DL), Lucas
Reynolds (So., TE/LB)
THE WORD: Gibson has turned around the Frisco program the
past three seasons, thanks to a two-way system and a Wing-T offense that keeps the football away from other teams.
The Raccoons advanced to the third round of the playoffs for
the second straight year in 2012, but return only four starters on both offense and defense. Fortunately, most of the
backfield from last season returns in QB Battaglia ( 1,893,
12 TDs passing), RB Steitle (364 yards, 3 TDs), and FB Nollman ( 1,033 yards, 10 TDs). Battaglia also is expected to see
time at LB, which is a risky proposition at best considering
the punishment he’s possibly going to be subjected to.
Ferichs is the top returning pass catcher (8-212) and the top
tackler ( 57) from his safety position. Frisco also has a prominent special teams weapon in White, who connected on all
53 PATs and made 4 FGs in 2012. The Raccoons will have
to replace an offensive line that helped produced more than
3,200 yards rushing last season and that’s a huge concern
heading into 2013.

FRISCO HERITAGE COYOTES
ENROLLMENT: 1,548 ( 7)
2012 RECORD: 1-9
THE COACH: Che Hendrix
THE PLAYERS: Twayne Blackwell (Jr. QB), Preston Gordon
(Sr., DL), Walter Miller (Sr., LB), Sean Jones (Sr., RB), Keaton
White (Jr., WR), K.C. Brown (Jr., DB), Collin Yang (Jr., OL),
Jaxon Williams (Jr. OL), Darius Bell (Sr., DL), Emeka Nwangwu
(Sr., DL), Jack Reagor (Sr., TE)
THE WORD: As the newest Frisco ISD school, the Coyotes
suffered through the usual growing pains in 2012. But better times should be coming, with eight offensive and seven
defensive starters returning as Heritage looks poised to
make a move up the ladder in 9-4A. Topping the list is QB
Blackwell, who ran and passed for a combined 1,900 yards
and 15 TDs in 2012. Blackwell has plenty of help up front
with Yang ( 6-3, 250), Williams ( 6-3, 245), and Reagor ( 6-4,
200). Jones, who ran for 639 yards last season, brings more
size (6-0, 200) to the offense. The defensive line is solid
with Gordon (6-0, 270), Bell ( 6-1, 245), and Nwangwu ( 6-4,
200) each returning. Hendrix says the experience and size
up front will help his team but he wants to see the passing
game and overall defense improve. He also believes the
Coyotes will need to make more plays in the kicking game in
order to challenge for a playoff berth. Expect improvement
from the Coyotes in 2013, but contending for a playoff spot
may be another year on the horizon.

FRISCO LIBERTY REDHAWKS
ENROLLMENT: 1,769 ( 3)
2012 RECORD: 3-7
THE COACH: Galen Zimmerman
THE PLAYERS: Jared Carmona (Jr., LB), Josh Ryan (Sr., WR),
Chris McPhaul (So., WR), Connor Robison (Jr., QB), Rodray
Perkins (Sr., ATH), Alex Gilani (Sr., OL/DL), Cole Bryant (Sr.,
OL), Jacob Hernandez (Sr., LB), Kyle Parks (Sr., K), Marcus
Bradford (Sr., RB/LB), Tommy Kagerer (Sr., OL), Ju’Wan
Henry (So., DB)
THE WORD: After a 2-1 start in 2012, the RedHawks struggled
moving the football and scoring a year ago and it showed
in their 1-6 finish (scoring 17 points or less in five games).
Growth in Frisco ISD has worked both ways for Liberty, as
early on LHS benefitted greatly with expansion but lately
they’ve been hammered by changing attendance zones
and new schools opening. Robison (6-0, 180) survived a
rugged sophomore season and returns to lead the offense.
A member of the RedHawks’ 4x100 and 4x200 relays in
the spring, Robison is a dual-threat QB with his speed and
arm. He should have options in Ryan and McPhaul. Another
sophomore to watch is Henry ( 5-10, 180), who could bring
help to the secondary and special teams. Perkins ( 5-10,
180) is the top rusher and receiver returning for Liberty. The
defense must improve in 2013 after surrendering 33 points
per game in 9-4A games. Things should start to stabilize for
Liberty after this year as they appear to be set with their
attendance zone for the time being, but it may be a year or
two before Liberty begins to climb back up the ladder.

LITTLE ELM LOBOS

ENROLLMENT: 1,578 ( 6)

2012 RECORD: 5-6 4A Div. II Bi-District Playoffs
THE COACH: Donald Stowers
THE PLAYERS: Coron Ousley (Sr., DL), Landon Halmark (Jr.,
TE), Cardell Best (Sr., DL), James Gordon (Sr., WR), Trey
Marks (Sr., OL), Justin Creed (Sr., OL), Kevin Sprinkles (Jr.,
OL), Bryce Lester (Sr., OL), Austen Thompson (Sr., DL),
Quinlan Gaines (Sr., DB), Richard Morones (Sr., OL), Caleb
Chapman (Sr., RB/DB)
THE WORD: The obvious challenge for Stowers’ team is replacing workhorse RB Ke’aun Kinner and his 2,900 yards
and 28 TDs rushing. There’s plenty of help up front with the
likes of Marks ( 6-2, 295), Creed ( 6-1, 275), Sprinkles ( 6-4,
266), and Morones (6-0, 250). But with only a handful of
skill position players returning (who totaled less than 300
yards in 2012), someone will have to step up for the Little
Elm offense. The defense features a pair of solid bookends
in Best (brother of TCU DE Clifton Murphy) and Thompson
(6-0, 235). Gaines ( 68 tackles, 2 INTs) will be counted on in
the secondary for the Lobos, whose defense gave up more
than 29 points per game and surrendered at least 50 three
times. But there is help coming. Ousley ( 6-3, 280) returns
on defense after taking a year off from football. Chapman
( 5-10, 190), whose dad, Dion, played RB at Utah State, could
help on both sides of the ball. Stowers says the Lobos must
improve their passing game and receiver play.

DISTRICT 10-4A

IN PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

MESQUITE POTEET PIRATES
ENROLLMENT: 1,594 ( 5)
2012 RECORD: 11-3 4A Division II State Quarter-Finalist
THE COACH: Open
THE PLAYERS: Malik Jefferson (Jr., LB), James Swindle (Sr.,
DB), Kody Edwards (Sr., WR), Nathaniel Gaines (Sr., WR/DB),
Verkedric Vaughns (Sr., WR/DB), Victor Rodriguez (Sr., OL),
Conrad Carbo (Sr., OL/DL), Deandre McNeal (Jr., WR), Daniel
Kanu (Sr., OL), Lane Novy (Sr., QB), Jaylon Smith (Jr., RB),
Denzel Thomas (Sr., LB), J.D. Hodkinson (Jr., LB), Malachi
Cobb (Sr., LB), Calvin Flemming (Sr., DL)
THE WORD: Poteet has won 30 games in its three years under
Jackson and with two long playoff runs, the Pirates have
established themselves as a team to watch on an annual
basis. The defense is led by one of the top-ranked juniors in
the nation in Jefferson, who had 24 tackles for loss, seven
sacks, five forced fumbles and four blocked kicks as a sophomore. The explosive Vaughns and hard-hitting Gaines are
athletic players that contribute both in the secondary and at
wide receiver, while Swindle was the team’s leading rusher
last year before moving over to defense. Carbo, who Jackson
called one of the best offensive lineman he has coached,
provides the same two-way play on the line. Novy will be
stepping in to lead the spread offense with limited snaps
under his belt, but he has a big-time playmaker in Edwards
on the outside, and a bruising runner in Smith, who played a
larger role as the season progressed. The key for Poteet will
be development on the offensive line and under center, if
the Pirates get that they have the makings of a team that will
contend for a state title.

HIGHLAND PARK SCOTS
ENROLLMENT: 2,028 ( 3)
2012 RECORD: 9-2 4A Div. I Bi-District Playoffs
HEAD COACH: Randy Allen
THE PLA YERS: Andrew Clyde (Sr., DL), Jack Cerverha (Sr., DL),
Caz Orr (Sr., DL), Tanner Houghton (Sr., LB), Brooks Oden
(Sr., LB), Robert Mencke (Sr., DB), Boomer Bakich (Jr., DB),
Matthew Riggs (Sr., DB), Andrew Frost (Jr., WR), Cole Feigl
(Sr., RB), Tony Richardson (Sr., OL), Gil Horn (Sr., OL), Clayton
Woods (Jr., OL), Remy Kell (Sr., WR), Sam Malone (Sr., WR),
William Stowe (Sr., WR), Brookes Burgin (Jr., QB), J.R. Gilley
(Sr., QB), Will Sanders (Sr., K), Carter McDade (Jr., RB)
THE WORD: Highland Park once again put together a good
regular season only to be knocked out of the playoffs earlier
than expected, this time with a 21-20 loss to Frisco in the
bi-district round. As always, there are high expectations
surrounding the tradition-rich Scots, but early on, it will be
a seasoned defense that carries the load while new faces
are broken in on offense. Clyde ( 58 tackles), Cerverha ( 49
tackles) and Orr each had five sacks last season, while
Houghton ( 80 tackles) and Oden lead the linebacker group.
The secondary should also be solid with Mencke and Bakich.
Highland Park lost quarterback Jet Tuma, as well as its top
three rushers and receivers. Gilley and Burgin will be among
the group to compete at quarterback and that position is
key. When the Scots get big time play from the QB slot, they
are traditionally in the title mix. Frost and Feigl got some
playing time at running back last season, as did Kell and
Malone on the outside. Breaking in those new players will
be made easier by a seasoned offensive line that includes
Richardson, Horn and Woods. Losing a lot of seniors is nothing new for Coach Allen and HP should find a way to fill those
holes and turn the Scots into an elite team in 2013.

THE WORD: West Mesquite made the playoffs in seven
consecutive seasons under Mike Overton and will try to
continue that streak under Neill, who has been the offensive
coordinator during that stretch and took over when Overton
departed for Horn. Neill knows his personnel well and he will
have seven returning starters on offense, led by Virgil, who
completed 62. 5 percent of his passes for 2,315 yards and
21 touchdowns. Virgil, who has started since his freshman
season is one of the area’s most experienced QB’s who is
not a senior. Stanley (40-668, 7 TDs) and Butler (29-399)
are proven targets in the passing game and Payne-Edwards
could be ready to step in as the leader in the running attack.
The Wranglers had seven defensive players earn scholarships last year and have only three returning starters. The
secondary, led by Summers-Gardner ( 45 tackles) is the most
seasoned unit. Roseburrow ( 48 tackles, 10 TFLs) will lead
the front seven as new players get experience. Summer-Garnder, who is committed to Texas A&M, continues the
Wranglers new found reputation of producing elite level
recruits.

CARROLLTON CREEKVIEW
MUSTANGS
ENROLLMEN T: 2,037 ( 2)
2012 RECORD: 5-5
HEAD COACH: Jay Cline
THE PLAYERS: David Blough (Sr., QB), Jamal Jones (Sr., DB),
Austin Young (Sr., OL), Jordan Coleman (Sr., DB), Marckus
Hardy (Sr., TE), Larry Hughes (Jr., OL), Triston Price (Sr., OL),
Cameron Adkins (Sr., LB), Raul Bustillos (Sr., RB), Emory
Nelson (Jr., RB), Griffin Lazor (Sr., ATH)
THE WORD: Creekview has designs on breaking through to
the playoffs with 18 returning starters from last year’s 5-5
team. Blough was a first-team all-district selection after
throwing for 1,777 yards and 17 touchdowns with only
three interceptions, he’s emerged as one of the area’s most
underrated recruits and has really increased his recruiting
stock on the off-season camp circuit. Dylan Kittrell had 61
catches last year, with no other player having more than 20.
With him gone, Hardy could be ready to step into a larger
role for the offense. The Mustangs will be looking for better
balance on offense after rushing for 120 yards per game
last year, but they should do that behind Hughes and Young
on the line. Creekview will rely on Bustillos and Nelson to
get the ground game going in a big way. Hughes, is another
diamond in the rough recruit who could emerge as a FBS recruit. Coleman, a first-team all-district performer, and Jones
will anchor a tough secondary. The defensive front seven
lacks experience but the staff is excited about the Mustangs
talent on defense.

FORNEY JACKRABBITS
ENROLLMENT: 1,303 ( 6)
2012 RECORD: 5-6 4A Div. II Bi-District Playoffs
HEAD COACH: Kevin Rush
THE PLA YERS: Christian Stewart (Sr., DL), Colbey Michaelkovich (Sr., LB), Marcus White (Sr., DB), Blake Canion (Sr., LB),
Cody Gandy (Sr., OL), Chazz Slatinsky (Jr., DB), Mitch McCul-luch (Sr., P), Santiago Flores (Sr., LB), Clayton Amendsen
(Sr., OL), Cameron Hull (Jr., DL), Jake Guerica (Jr., QB), Eastin
Hargis (Sr., RB), Cody Marr (Jr., QB), Sergio Prado (Sr., OL),
Daniel Fethkenher (Sr., OL), Jonathan Bridges (Sr., DL), A.J.
Atnip (Jr., RB), Luke Skipper (So., QB), Zhanta Owens (Sr.,
DL), Cody Ray (Jr., DL)
THE WORD: After surprising many experts and making it to
the playoffs a year ago, Forney wants to prove they can do it
again. The defense should be solid with five returning starters. Stewart ( 62 tackles, 11 TFL) anchors the line, linebacker
Michaelkovich had 83 tackles last year and Canion is back
as a three-year starter in the middle. The secondary features
returning starters in Slatinsky ( 91 tackles) and White, who
was also the team’s special teams player of the year after
returning both a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns. The
Jackrabbits will need to develop some depth as any defense
will be tested in a district as tough as this one is on paper.
The offense will be breaking in a new quarterback in Marr
or Skipper, but it will have a solid line to protect them, led
by returning starters Gandy and Amendsen. There is experience in the running game with Hargis and Atnip, who had 66
carries for 284 yards as a sophomore.

NORTH FORNEY FALCONS
ENROLLMEN T: 1,031 ( 8)
2012 RECORD: 2-8
HEAD COACH: Lance Gary
THE PLAYERS: Armani Watts (Sr., ATH), Bryce Ford (Sr., LB),
Patrick Ellis (Sr., DL), Tritavious Jones (Sr., ATH), Taylor
Durham (Sr., OL), Andre Davis (Sr., DL), Hunter Herndon (Jr.,
QB), Jermaine Williams (Jr., OL), Devon Harris (Sr., DB), Bryan
Couch (Sr., TE/DL), Levon Douglas (Sr., TE/DL), Seth Garcia
(Sr., WR/DB), Travion Dixon (Jr., OL/DL)
THE WORD: North Forney had a rough first year at the Class
4A level, but Gary believes they will be better prepared this
season, especially considering they’ve had a full off-season
to adjust to the new system. Watts is as talented as any
player in the district. He rushed for better than 1,000 yards
and threw for 700 yards at quarterback, and the Texas A&M
commit also earned first-team all-district honors at safety.
Herndon could be ready to step in as the full-time quarterback after throwing for 420 yards and four touchdowns in
two games. The Falcons are looking for people to step up
at the skill positions, but the line is solid with Durham and
Williams. Ford is another first-teamer from last year after
recording 93 tackles from his linebacker position. Ellis ( 11